Foldable insulated bag

ABSTRACT

A soft sided insulated cooler bag has a base and side panels. The base includes a rigid or semi-rigid reinforcement or batten that serve to provide a relatively hard or stiff edge about which the bag can be panel folded over on itself. The upper edge of the bag has a length that is as great as half the periphery of the bottom panel. The bag can be collapsed to a flat position and then panel folded to a storage position. Retainers are provided to keep the bag in the storage position.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of foldable insulatedcontainers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Collapsible insulated containers have been known for some years.They are typically used as containers for carrying cold drinks, andother cool refreshments, but can also be used to keep foods or beverageswarm or hot.

[0003] Certain sizes and shapes of coolers are better for some purposesthan others. Some collapsible coolers can be folded to a collapsedposition, but the folding process may tend to require relatively stronghands, since the insulated panels may be of fair thickness, and may havea resilience that tends to resist folding. These containers tend tounfold easily, but tend to be rather more difficult to fold back intothe collapsed or storage position. In the folded position, the front andrear walls remain in generally parallel planar orientation while thebottom panel is folded up in half, and the side panels are folded inwardas shown in my issued U.S. Pat. No. Des. 382,771. This kind of cooler issecured in the folded position (a) by a hook-and-eye fabric stripsecurement between the overfolded lip of the lid portion of the coolerand the front face of the cooler and (b) by side fastening straps thatretain the bottom portions of the front panel relative to the backpanel, typically by wrapping at least partially around the back paneland being secured thereto with hook-and-eye strips. Coolers of thisnature tend to be generally cubic in shape with rectangular sidesforming, typically, a six sided box shaped structure when unfolded. Acooler of this type may also tend to require more manufacturing stepsthan a more bag-like cooler, and may therefore be more costly and timeconsuming to produce.

[0004] Rolling up a collapsible cooler, in the manner in which asleeping bag is sometimes rolled up, may tend not to be particularlysatisfactory in all circumstances. Users may tend to roll up theinsulated material too tightly, either damaging the material, or tendingto give it a permanent set. This tight rolling approach may also tend tofavour persons with relatively strong hands.

[0005] It may be that a different kind of cooler is desired that may besomewhat more convenient for rapid use, that may be more quickly andeasily folded, or that may provide greater ease of manufacture that maytend to pack efficiently for shipment, or that may present a relativelyeasily displayed product.

[0006] It may also be that it would be preferable to have a cooler thatfolds in a continuous direction, or that folds back and forth, on afolding panel basis rather than in a continuous tight roll like asleeping bag.

[0007] In the view of the present inventor, there is a need for afoldable insulated container, or bag, that is more easily constructedthan the more box shaped type of cubic collapsible insulated container,that may tend to require fewer, or simpler, manufacturing steps, or thatmay tend to provide an easily displayed and relatively convenientinsulated container for everyday use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In an aspect of the invention, there is a soft sided insulatedcooler container in which one portion page-folds against another alongpre-defined panel folds on a discrete number of fold lines.

[0009] In an aspect of the invention, there is a foldable insulated bagcomprising an insulated wall structure, defining an insulated spacetherewithin. The wall structure has a closure member operable to governaccess to the insulated space. The wall structure includes a formingpanel. The wall structure, when empty, is movable to a first, flattenedposition. The wall structure is foldable over on itself about at least aportion of the forming panel to a folded storage position. The wallstructure is securable in the folded storage position.

[0010] In an additional feature of that aspect of the invention, the bagis a double fold bag. In another additional feature, the bag includes aretainer. The retainer is operable to secure the bag in the foldedstorage position. In yet another additional feature, the bag has abottom region and a top region, and the suspension member is mounteddistant from the bottom region.

[0011] In still another additional feature, the forming panel includes astiffener member. In yet still another additional feature, the formingpanel has a flexural rigidity greater than any other portion of the bag.In yet another additional feature, the forming panel has an insulatinglayer and a stiffening layer. In a further additional feature, theforming panel includes a stiffened straight edge. In still a furtheradditional feature, the forming panel includes a pair of spaced apart,parallel stiffened straight edges. In yet a further additional feature,the bag has a base panel and a sidewall structure mounted about the basepanel. The forming panel is the base panel.

[0012] In still yet a further additional feature, the sidewall structureincludes first and second opposed sidewall panels. Each side wall panelhas a first edge adjoining the base panel and a second edge distanttherefrom. The closure member is mounted to the distant edges.

[0013] In another additional feature, the sidewall structure includesfirst and second opposed sidewall panels. Each side wall panel has afirst edge adjoining the base panel and a second edge distant therefrom.The side wall panels have an altitude measured between the first andsecond edges, and the base panel has a width measured between juncturesof the adjoining edges of the sidewall panels therewith. The altitudehas a magnitude X, and the width has a magnitude Y wherein X has a valuelying on one of the ranges chosen from the set of ranges consisting of(a) 0.8 Y to 1.2 Y; (b) 1.8 Y to 2.2 Y; and (c) 2.8 Y to 3.2 Y.

[0014] In still another additional feature, the foldable insulated baghas a retainer operable to secure the foldable insulated bag in thefolded storage position. The sidewall structure includes first andsecond opposed sidewall panels. Each sidewall panel has a first edgeadjoining the base panel and a second edge distant therefrom. The basepanel has a first edge connected to the first sidewall panel, and asecond edge connected to the second sidewall panel. The base panel hasan outer face, and an inward face. In the flattened position the inwardface of the base panel is oriented to face toward the second sidewallpanel. In the flattened position the second edge of the base panel liesnearer than the first edge of the base panel to the second edge of thefirst sidewall panel. The outward face of the base panel has a firstmember of the retainer mounted thereto adjacent to the second edgethereof. The first sidewall panel has a second member of the retainermounted adjacent to the second edge thereof. The base panel is movableto bring the first portion of the retainer into mating engagement withthe second portion of the retainer. In yet another additional feature,the first and second portions of the retainer are mating hook-and-eyefabric strip portions.

[0015] In still yet another additional feature, the sidewall structureincludes first and second opposed sidewall panels. Each sidewall panelhas a first edge adjoining the base panel and a second edge distanttherefrom. The base panel has a periphery. The periphery includes afirst edge adjoining the first edge of the first sidewall panel, and asecond edge adjoining the first edge of the second sidewall panel. Theperiphery includes two opposed remainder portions between the first andsecond sides. The portions have lengths 2a₁ and 2a₂ respectively. Thefirst edge of the first sidewall panel has a length, L. The first edgeof the base panel has a length ‘b’. The length L is at least as great asb+(a₁+a₂).

[0016] In a further additional feature, the first edge of the firstsidewall panel is centered relative to the first edge of the base panel.In yet a further additional feature, the sidewall structure includesfirst and second opposed sidewall panels. Each sidewall panel has afirst edge adjoining the base panel and a second edge distant therefrom.The base panel is rectangular, having two opposed sides of length ‘b’and two opposed sides of length ‘a’. The first edge of the firstsidewall panel has a length, L. The length L is at least as great asb+2a. In still a further additional feature, the first edge of the firstsidewall panel is centered relative to the first edge of the base panel.

[0017] In still yet a further additional feature, the sidewall structureincludes equal sized first and second opposed sidewall panels. Each sidewall panel has a first edge adjoining the base panel and a second edgedistant therefrom. In another additional feature, the first edges of thefirst and second sidewall panels have a length L₁, and the second edgesof the sidewall panels have a length L₂, where L₂ is at least as greatas L₁. In still another additional feature, each of the sidewall panelshas a second edge distant from the first edge thereof. The second edgesof the sidewall panels are each longer than the base panel.

[0018] In yet another additional feature, the sidewall structureincludes a pair of opposed first and second sidewall panels. The firstand second sidewall panels each includes a first edge mounted to thebase panel, a second edge opposed to and distant from the second edge, athird edge, and a fourth edge. The fourth edge is opposed to the thirdedge. The respective third edges are mutually attached. The respectivefourth edges are mutually attached. In another additional feature, theinsulated bag includes a waterproof liner. In a further additionalfeature, the insulated bag includes reflective interior surface orientedto face toward objects placed in the insulated space.

[0019] In another aspect of the invention, there is a foldable insulatedbag comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, and a basepanel. At least the first side panel and the second side panel isinsulated. At least the first side panel and the second side panel ispliable. The first side panel, the second side panel and the base panelco-operate to define an enclosed, insulated space. The first side panelhas a first base edge adjoining the base panel. The second side panelhas a second base edge adjoining the base panel. The first side panelhas a first distal edge opposite to the first base edge. The second sidepanel has a second distal edge opposite to the second base edge. At.least a portion of the first distal edge is movable relative to at leasta portion of the second distal edge to permit access to the enclosedinsulated space. A closure member is mounted to govern access to theenclosed, insulated space. The base panel has a length and a width, thelength being greater than the width. The distal edge of the first sidepanel is longer than the base panel.

[0020] These and other aspects of the invention may be more readilyunderstood with the aid of the illustrative Figures and detaileddescription included hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the illustrative Figures of an example, or examples, embodyingthe various aspects of the invention, provided by way of illustration,but not of limitation of the present invention:

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a foldableinsulated bag of an embodiment of the present invention as carried by auser;

[0023]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1 as installedin the trunk of an automobile;

[0024]FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1 as folded;

[0025]FIG. 3b shows a front view of the bag of FIG. 3a in a fully foldedcondition;

[0026]FIG. 3c shows a rear view of the bag of FIG. 3a in the fullyfolded condition;

[0027]FIG. 3d shows a left hand end view of the bag of FIG. 3a in thefully folded condition;

[0028]FIG. 3e shows a right hand end view of the bag of FIG. 3a in thefully folded condition;

[0029]FIG. 3f shows a top view of the bag of FIG. 3a in the fully foldedcondition;

[0030]FIG. 3g shows a bottom view of the bag of FIG. 3a in the fullyfolded condition;

[0031]FIG. 3h shows the bag of FIG. 3c with an alternate hang looporientation;

[0032]FIG. 4a shows a perspective view of the unfolded bag of FIG. 1.

[0033]FIG. 4b shows a front view of the bag of FIG. 4a in a fullyunfolded condition;

[0034]FIG. 4c shows a rear view of the bag of FIG. 4a in the fullyunfolded condition;

[0035]FIG. 4d shows a left hand end view of the bag of FIG. 4a in thefully unfolded condition;

[0036]FIG. 4e shows a right hand end view of the bag of FIG. 4a in thefully unfolded condition;

[0037]FIG. 4f shows a top view of the bag of FIG. 4a in the fullyunfolded condition;

[0038]FIG. 4g shows a bottom view of the bag of FIG. 4a in the fullyunfolded condition;

[0039]FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the bag of FIG. 1, takenabeam of the handles (with the handles not shown);

[0040]FIG. 6a shows a front view of the bag of FIG. 1 in a partiallyfolded condition;

[0041]FIG. 6b shows a rear view of the bag of FIG. 6a;

[0042]FIG. 6c shows a left hand end view of the bag of FIG. 6a;

[0043]FIG. 6d shows a right handed view of the bag of FIG. 6a;

[0044]FIG. 7a shows a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1 in an opencondition with a liner thereof in an inverted position to facilitatewashing thereof,

[0045]FIG. 7b shows a perspective view of the bag of FIG. 1 in an opencondition;

[0046]FIG. 8 shows a developed view of panels of the bag of FIG. 1 priorto assembly;

[0047]FIG. 9a shows a developed view of a bottom panel for an alternateembodiment of the foldable insulated bag of FIG. 1;

[0048]FIG. 9b shows a developed view of a side panel for an alternateembodiment of the foldable insulated bag of FIG. 1;

[0049]FIG. 10a shows an isometric view of a single fold, alternateinsulated bag to that of FIG. 1;

[0050]FIG. 10b shows a front view of the insulated bag of FIG. 10a in afolded condition;

[0051]FIG. 10c shows a rear view of the insulated bag of FIG. 10a in afolded condition;

[0052]FIG. 10d shows a left hand end view of the insulated bag of FIG.10a;

[0053]FIG. 10e shows a right hand end view of the insulated bag of FIG.10a;

[0054]FIG. 10f shows a top view of the insulated bag of FIG. 10a;

[0055]FIG. 10g shows a bottom view of the insulated bag of FIG. 10a;

[0056]FIG. 11a shows a partially unfolded front view of a triple fold,alternate insulated bag to that of FIG. 1;

[0057]FIG. 11b shows a front view of the insulated bag of FIG. 11a in afolded condition;

[0058]FIG. 11c shows a rear view of the insulated bag of FIG. 11a in afolded condition;

[0059]FIG. 11d shows a left hand end view of the insulated bag of FIG.11a;

[0060]FIG. 11e shows a right hand end view of the insulated bag of FIG.11a;

[0061]FIG. 11f shows a top view of the insulated bag of FIG. 11a;

[0062]FIG. 11g shows a bottom view of the insulated bag of FIG. 11a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0063] The description that follows, and the embodiments describedtherein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples,of particular embodiments of the principles of the present invention.These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not oflimitation, of those principles and of the invention. In thedescription, like parts are marked throughout the specification and thedrawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings arenot necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have beenexaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features of theinvention.

[0064] For the purposes of this description, the largest panels of thebags herein described are arbitrarily designated as the front and rearsides, faces, or portions of the bag. Similarly, the closure member, oropening of the bag is arbitrarily designated as being at the top, andthe base panel is designated as being at the bottom. It should also beunderstood that, within the normal range of temperatures to which humanfood and human touch is accustomed, although the term cooler, or coolercontainer, or cooler bag, may be used, such insulated structures maygenerally also be used to keep food, beverages, or other objects eitherwarm or hot as well as cool, cold, or frozen.

[0065] As seen in the Figures, an example of a portable, collapsiblesoft sided, insulated wall structure is identified as a foldable coolertote bag 20. This structure can be referred to as an insulated bag, aninsulated container, a cooler, or such like. The basic structure of bag20 includes a first side panel, or wall, or sidewall, arbitrarilydesignated front panel 22, a second side panel, or wall, or sidewall,designated arbitrarily as rear panel 24, and a third panel or wallidentified as a bottom, or base panel 26. As described more fully below,these panels are joined together to form a pouch, or bag, having anenclosed internal space 25 surrounded by insulated walls. The enclosedvolume of internal space 25 varies with the condition of the bag. Thatis, while the bag is in a folded (that is, collapsed) condition orposition, or is lying flat, the internal volume is negligibly small, ifnot zero. However, when bag 20 is in an unfolded condition, or expandedposition, it may tend to take on a shape to accommodate objects placedwithin the internal space, and it may assume a suitably capaciousinternal volume.

[0066] When bag 20 is in use, access to the internal volume, namelyinternal space 25 thereof, is governed by a closure member 28. In theillustrated example, closure member 28 may be a linear tracked closuredevice in the nature of a zipper assembly 30 mounted between the uppermargins of the side wall panels, namely front and rear panels 22 and 24.Other kinds of closures could be used such as a velcro (t.m.)hook-and-eye fabric closure, a series of spaced apart snaps, acontinuous mating plastic tongue and groove or other device. Arelatively robust zipper assembly is preferred, as it may tend toprovide a simple, quick, and relatively strong closure.

[0067] While bag 20 can be made water-tight by other means, it ispreferred to provide a liner 32 that can be either sewn in place, or maybe removable, or it may be wholly or partially invertible. A liner thatis at least partially invertible, or removable, is preferred, since thismay facilitate washing.

[0068] When the bag is not in use, it may tend to be readily foldable.First, the bag is collapsed by lying it flat and folding front sidewallpanel 22 near its bottom margin such that base panel 26 lays in a moreor less flat orientation relative to the rear sidewall panel, 24, asseen in FIGS. 6a and 6 b. In this, collapsed, generally flattened,position, the upward edge 36 of base panel 26 (namely the edge that isfolded toward front sidewall panel 22 and hence toward what wouldnormally be the upper parts of bag 20 generally) acts as a former, orform, for bending the body of bag 20 to define a first fold by rotatingthe folded part of the bag in the direction of arrow ‘A’(counter-clockwise in the Figures, but arbitrary since it would beclockwise if viewed from the other direction, and bag 20 can be madewith either a left handed or right handed fold). This permits oneportion of bag 20 to fold over on another portion, in the manner offolding a page over on itself.

[0069] When page-folded in the direction of arrow ‘A’, bag 20 willarrive at the folded position shown in FIGS. 3a-3 g, in which positionit is held by a securement member, or retainer, identified as 34, whichmay take the form of a pair of mating securement strips such ashook-and-eye velcro (t.m.) strips 38 and 40 mounted, respectively, tothe upper body portion of front side panel 22 adjacent the upper marginthereof, and to the distal margin region of base panel 26 that isdistant from the forming edge of base panel 26, such that when basepanel 26 is overfolded in the direction of arrow ‘A’ strips 38 and 40are brought into mating contact in a single relatively uncomplicated,and possibly quite swift motion. The result is a soft sided insulatedcontainer that has been collapsed, and then panel-folded over on itself(i.e., not scrunched into a tight roll) to a flat folded position, orflat folded condition, such as may be suitable, for example, forstacking, transport, display or storage. Display and storage isfacilitated by a suspension member 42, in the nature of a hang loop 44,mounted generally centrally along the upper margin of front panel 22. Tothe extent that loop 44 is mounted higher than the center of gravity ofbag 20 more generally, bag 20 will tend to hang with the upper margin offront panel 22 in a generally horizontal orientation. An alternate hangloop location is shown in FIG. 3h, in which hang loop 44 is located atan end edge such that, when displayed for sale, bag 20 may tend to hangin a vertical, or substantially vertical orientation, namely with thelong dimension (as folded) running up and down, i.e., more or lessvertically.

[0070] Unfolding may tend to be a similarly uncomplicated and convenientprocedure: the retainers are released, the bag is unfolded and it isready to accommodate objects that need to stay cool or warm. Whenunfolded, lifting members in the nature of handles, or straps 46, 48that extend from the upper regions of the sidewall panels, namely panels22 and 24, can be grasped to lift bag 20, and may, as illustrated inFIG. 1, be found suitable for carrying over a person's shoulder.Alternatively, or additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 2, bag 20 isprovided with auxiliary securement devices 50, 52, such as may be in thenature of velcro straps, to engage the felt-like or fibrous mat interiorof an automobile, especially an automobile trunk, or boot, or cargocarrying area of a station wagon, van, or sports or utility vehicle.Securement devices 50, 52 may tend to be used to discourage a loaded bag20 from tipping over when travelling, such as when bringing cold itemshome from the grocery store, or such as when transporting refreshmentsto a campsite, picnic site, playing field, or arena.

[0071] Considering the construction of bag 20 in greater detail,reference is made to the developed views of panels 22, 24 and 26provided in FIG. 8. In the developed views shown in the example of FIG.8, the side panels, namely insulated front and rear panels 22 and 24,are of the same size and shape, and are generally rectangular. They havea breadth dimension indicated as ‘X’ measured along either the upper orlower marginal edges 54, 56, and a height dimension indicated as ‘Y’,measured perpendicular to dimension ‘X’, along the side edges 58, 60. Byinspection, L₁=‘X’=b₁+2a₁.

[0072] Insulated base panel 26 is also generally rectangular, having along dimension measured along long edges 62, 64, and indicated generallyas ‘b’, and a short dimension measured along the short, end edges 66,68, indicated generally as ‘w’. In this embodiment, the half width ofthe panel is identified as ‘a₁’, and is equal to half of ‘w’. The ratioof the half width ‘a’ to the length ‘b’ may tend to be in the range ofless than about 1:2 and greater than about 1:16, or within the narrowerrange of less than about 2:5 and greater than about 1:8, or within thepreferable range of less than about 1:3 and greater than about 1:6. Inone particular example the ratio may be about 3¼:11½, in anotherparticular example the ratio may be about 3¼:15½, and in a thirdparticular example the ratio may be about 3¼:17½.

[0073] The width of base panel 26 may also be related to the overallheight of bag 20 when unfolded. That is, it is preferred that retainerstrip 40 on the off-side of base panel 26 mate with retainer element 38on front panel 22 of bag 20 at a region close to the upper edge 70 ofbag 20 generally, to yield a neatly folded bag for efficient packing,shipping and display. To that end, with allowance for a bend radius, itis preferred that the height of bag 20 be within +/−20%, and morepreferably within +/−10%, of an integer multiple of the width of basepanel 26. It is also preferred that bag 20 be a double or triple foldedbag. While bags with a greater number of folds are possible, thebenefits of ease of manufacture, ease of folding, and ease of use maynot necessarily tend to be as marked for a larger number of folds.

[0074] The upper edge, i.e., upper marginal edge 54, of each of the sidepanels 22 and 24 is longer than the long dimension ‘b’ of the bottom, orbase panel 26, such that when the closure member is secured, bag 20 maytend to have an upwardly broadening profile when viewed from the side,and an upwardly narrowing profile when viewed from the end. In theembodiment of FIG. 8, the periphery of base panel 26 is equal to2(2a₁+b). Each of the side wall panels, namely front and rear panels 22and 24, has a lower, or bottom edge, 56 noted above. Each of thesebottom edges 56 extends about one half of the periphery of base panel26, having a central portion of length ‘b’ and two opposite endportions, each of length ‘a₁’ or thereabout. In this instance, when bag20 is collapsed, and bottom panel 26 is laid flat, a triangular end foldwill be created, made up of the triangular folds 72 of the bottomcorners of the side wall panels, those triangular portions beingindicated as triangular regions 74 on FIG. 8, and being bounded by foldlines 76, 78.

[0075] When assembled, front and rear panels 22, 24 are sewn togetheralong their upwardly extending edges 58, 60, the central portions oftheir bottom edges 56 are sewn to the long sides, or edges 62, 64 ofbase panel 26, and the end portions are sewn to the half-width portionsof end edges 66, 68 of base panel 26. The closure member 28 has the formof zipper assembly 30 as noted above. Zipper assembly 30 has a firstside region 84, a second side region 86, and a zipper 88. Side region 84has an outboard, or distal edge seamed into front panel 22, and aninboard edge, or margin, to which one set of teeth of zipper 88 ismounted. Side region 86 has an outboard, or distal edge that is seamedinto rear panel 24, and an inboard edge along which the other set ofteeth of zipper 88 is mounted. In the usual manner, motion of zipper car90 along the track defined by the zipper teeth controls the opening andclosing of the zipper assembly, and hence controls access to theenclosed space 25 of bag 20 more generally, thereby permitting objectsto be introduced into, or to be drawn out of, bag 20. Side regions 84and 86 each have an upper, load bearing web member 92, 94 and an innerwall member 96, 98. In one embodiment of the invention, inner wallmembers 96, 98 may be reflective, or have a reflective inwardly facing(i.e., inward relative to the enclosed space 25 of bag 20 so that thereflective surface is oriented toward objects contained in bag 20)surface, and may preferably be made of “thermoflect” (t.m.) material. Inanother embodiment, inner wall members 96, 98 is a white, water proofnylon sheet. The seaming of the side region of zipper assembly 30 occursat a height downset from the very edge of the side wall panels by adistance δ₁ roughly equal to the half width δ₂ of zipper assembly 30such that when bag 20 is folded, side regions 84 and 86 may tend to foldnext to those margins, rather than to protrude excessively.

[0076] The overall width of the web-like region, or panel formed byzipper assembly 30 is less than, if not significantly less than, thewidth of panel 26 such that the through thickness of bag 20 at theelevation of closure member 28 is small, if not very small, relative tothe length of closure member 28, and relative to the length of uppermarginal edge 54. It is preferred that the overall width of the closuremember be less than 60% of the width of the base, and, in a particularexample, is about half the width. As such, the ratio of throughthickness to bag length may be about a₂/(2a₂+b). This value maytypically lie in the range of 1:5 to 1:8 and more narrowly in the rangeof 1:6 to 1:7½. The closure member is mounted between the upper marginsof the side wall panels, namely panels 22 and 24, and, when open,permits at least central portions of those margins to be moved closertogether or further apart as may be desired to give access to theenclosed chamber.

[0077] The sidewall construction is as shown in FIG. 5. Each of sidewallpanels 22, 24 has a relatively wear resistant outer membrane or sheet,or web 80, that may be made of a sheet or woven webbing fabric, such aswoven nylon, canvas, or other suitable cloth. Each of sidewall panels22, 24 also has an inner sidewall membrane, or sheet, or web 82, thatmay function as a water proof lining, and may be made of a sheet ofextruded plastic of the types of polymers that include vinyl (t.m.) ornylon (t.m.), or sheets of monolithic extruded vinyl (t.m.) or nylon(t.m.) sewn together.

[0078] An insulating layer 84 is trapped between the inner and outerwebs 82 and 80. Insulating layer 84 may preferably be a closed cellpolyurethane foam, but could be an open cell insulating foam, or othertype of insulating layer, or it may include more than one insulatinglayer.

[0079] As above, in one embodiment the inner sidewall web member mayeither be made of a reflective material, such as thermoflect (t.m.)sheeting, or may have a reflective surface oriented to face towardobjects contained within bag 20. Alternatively, inner web 82 member maybe made of a water proof extruded nylon or vinyl sheet, or seamedsheets, to discourage leakage of liquids from bag 20.

[0080] Optionally, water-proof liner 32 may be included, in addition tothe internal sidewall web sheet, namely, web 82. Where the innersidewall surface is reflective, the liner may preferably be translucent,or clear, to permit the reflective surface of the inner wall to be seen.Although the liner can be rigidly sewn in place to prevent the linerfrom being inverted, it is preferable for the liner to be eitherremovable, or to be sewn in at its upper peripheral edges, thuspermitting at least partial inversion of the liner as shown in FIG. 7a,and hence to facilitate washing. The optional liner 32 may be made froma single polymer sheet, have a first side region 88 and a second sideregion 90. The side regions are heat welded along their side margins toform a pouch, or pocket, commensurate with the general size and shape ofthe inside of bag 20, and have their upper margins seamed into theside-walls of bag 20 at the juncture with the side regions of zipperassembly 30. Bag 20 will then tend to be water-proof to a heightcorresponding to the height of closure member 28. It is advantageous,and desirable, for a soft sided insulated wall assembly for use as acooler, such as bag 20, to be generally leak resistant, if not even morepreferably, water-proof.

[0081] The cross-sectional structure of base panel 26 is generallysimilar to the cross-sectional structure of the sidewall panels, havingan inner wall skin, or panel or web 114 that is of consistentconstruction to the inner wall sheet or web 82, and an outer wall skin,or web 116 that is of consistent construction to outer web 80. It may benoted that the outer web 80 may not be the same colour as outer web 116,and may not be of the same weave or fabric. It may have a heavier, morewear resistant fabric, or coarser, more wear resistant weave, since basepanel 26 may tend to be placed in contact with the ground, or otherunderlying surface whether a paved roadway, concrete, rocks, earth,flooring, or some other support surface against which it may be expectedto be slid, or to rub, in the course of use.

[0082] Base panel 26 may also have an insulated layer, 118, capturedbetween webs 114 and 116, the insulated layer being made of an insulatedfoam, or other suitable heat transfer resistive medium as describedabove. In addition, base panel 26 has a stiffened form member 120, thatmay be in the nature of a rectangular, hard plastic sheet 100 of modestthickness located between insulating layer 118 and outer web 116. Sheet100, in plan view, has dimensions that are the same as, or roughly thesame as, dimensions ‘b’ and ‘w’. Form member 128 serves two functions,the first being to provide a stiffened base upon which bag 20 can tendpreferentially to stand, and which may tend to aid in discouraging bag20 from tipping over as easily as it might otherwise do. The second isto provide a forming edge to base 26 by which to pre-determine the foldline, or lines, at which bag 20 will tend to want to bend when beingfolded up. This may tend to discourage the tight-rolling of bag 20, andto encourage repeatable panel folding to and from the convenient foldedform shown in FIGS. 3a-3 g.

[0083] Form member 120 need not be a continues monolithic panel. Itcould be an open frame, or a peripheral member sewn in place to providea reinforced edge. In one embodiment, even without form member 120, theseaming at the edge of insulated base panel 26 may tend to yield anatural fold location at which bag 20 may tend to prefer to bend orfold. The inclusion of member 120 may tend to strengthen or to enhancethis tendency. Modestly sized feet, stand offs, or pads, 102, mayoptionally be provided to the underside of panel 26. Further, formmember 120 may, by itself, tend to have a greater flexural stiffnessthat the adjacent layer of insulated material, and when taken togetherthe resultant bi-laminar, or possibly multi-layered assembly, has acombined flexural stiffness that may tend to be significantly stifferthan any other portion of bag 20.

[0084] Lifting members, or carrying members, in the nature of straps, orweb bands 46, 48, are sewn up the outside faces of side wall panels 22and 24, having their roots at the seamed junction between bottom panel26 and the side wall panels 22, 24. Each of bands 46, 48 has a centralportion 104, 106 that extends upwardly beyond the upper margins of thesidewall panels to provide a grasping, or carrying portion that can beheld or place over a user's shoulder, as in FIG. 1.

[0085] Auxiliary securement straps 50, 52 have a root end sewn into theupper region of the seam between panels 22 and 24, at a height near theheight of closure member 28 The distal ends of straps 50, 52 bear velcropatches 110, suitable for securing in to the trunk fabric of anautomobile (or, alternatively, mating velcro patches can be mountedinside the automobile for this purpose). When not in use, the ends ofstraps 50, 52 mount to mating velcro patches 112 located on the outwardface of front side panel 22. Straps 110 could as easily be oriented toface in the other direction, and to mate with patches sewn on rear panel24.

[0086] Alternate Embodiments

[0087] In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 9a, an alternate insulatedbase panel 126 has the same structural and thermal properties as basepanel 26 in general, but differs in that rather than being rectangularin plan view, base panel 126 has a length, or long dimension, indicatedas ‘b₂’ and a width indicated as ‘w’. These dimensions need not be thesame as ‘b’ and ‘w’ indicated above, but may be. In this case the endsof panel 126 are not squared, but rather are mitred at an angle arelative to the perpendicular to the long edges. The length along eachof the mitred edges is then given as ‘a₂’. In this case the half widthof base panel 126 is not a₂, but rather a₂ cost. The periphery of base126 is 2(b₂+2a₂).

[0088] The adjoining side panels are again taken to be ‘X’ wide, and ‘Y’high, and to be of the same general insulated construction as side wallpanels 22 and 24, as shown, for example, in FIG. 5. The length of thelower margin 124 of each of the adjoining side panels 126 is then(b₂+2a₂). Each panel will then have a “large fold” 128 and a “smallfold” 130. Large fold 128 is a nominal indication of where there wouldbe a fold in the side wall of the bag in the fully unfolded conditionready for filling with diverse objects, if a sharp crease were made. Inactual use, the corner will not be creased, but rather will tend to takeon a more rounded, or radiused form, and the bag will tend to conform tothe shape and bulkiness of objects placed in it, so the actual corner ofthe bag may have a bulging appearance rather than a sharp corer. Smallfold 130 indicates the actual location of a fold that is made when thebag is in a collapsed state and folded for storage.

[0089] The angle β₁ of small fold 130, when the bag is folded forstorage, will then tend be roughly equal to the bisector of the anglebetween the extension of the horizontal fold line defined by the edge ofbase 126 and the mitred edge, namely ½ (90−α).

[0090] Base panel 126 need not necessarily be a straight sided polygon,as are base panel 26, but could have somewhat rounded, oval or irregularends. However, in such a case the end fold may tend to be puckered, andmay tend not to lie as flat as might otherwise be considered desirableor preferable. However, a straight sided polygon is advantageous, and asquare-cornered (i.e., rectangular) end is preferred since it may tendto facilitate manufacture and efficient use of materials and reducedwaste cuts.

[0091] Bag 20 is a “double fold” bag. That is, base panel 26 is foldedflat at a first fold (the offside edge of base panel 26), and then sidepanels 22 and 24 are bent about the second fold (the nearside edge ofbase 26). In alternate embodiments, a soft sided, collapsible andfoldable insulate single-fold bag could be produced, or a triple-fold,or more, bag could be produced.

[0092] An example of a single fold bag 140 is shown in FIGS. 10a-10 g,the views corresponding generally to the views of double fold bag 20shown in FIGS. 3a-3 g respectively. Except as otherwise indicated, bag140 has the same general construction as bag 20, having insulated sidewall panels 142, 144, and an insulated base panel 146, with a similarclosure member 148 and optional liner similar to liner 32. Bag 140differs from bag 20 in being a single fold bag, rather than a doublefold bag, and has changes in dimension and aspect ratios accordingly. Inplace of the arrangement of retention member 40, a retention member 150would might tend to be mounted near the lower margin of the front panel142, and another, mating, retention member 152 would be mounted near theupper edge of the front panel, the two mating when the base panel ismoved to a collapsed position in which it is laid over against sidepanel 142.

[0093] An example of a triple fold bag 160 is shown in FIGS. 11a-11 g.FIG. 11a shows triple fold bag 160 in a collapsed, or flattenedcondition immediately prior to folding into the storage position (or,alternatively and equivalently, immediately after being unfolded, andbefore filling). Bag 160 is presented as being symbolic of not only abag having three folds. In general, for a bag, such as bag 160, havingthree or more folds, the retention member 178 would be located on thefront face 164 roughly the width of two folded panel regions below theupper edge of the front face with the second retention member beingmounted near or at the upper edge, such that, when folded the two parts178 and 174 would tend to mate. An example of a single fold bag isillustrated in FIG. 10a. An example of α-triple fold bag is shown inFIG. 11a.

[0094] In the examples discussed so far, the upper edge of a bag havingrectangular sidewall panels is L_(i)=2(a_(i)+b_(i)), whether i is 1 or2. As shown in FIG. 9b, the side panels of bag 20 need not be made fromrectangular sheets, but could be made from sheets that are of adifferent shape, such as the trapezoidal side panel sheets 180. In thiscase, the resultant bag 182 would tend to have an upper edge 184 forwhich the length L₂ would tend to be greater than the sum of theb+2a_(i), or, put generically, where L_(i) is greater than half thetotal periphery of the base panel 186. This may tend to yield a moreflared appearance when the bag is seen in an unfolded side view, and maytend to yield a larger access opening, such as may permit objects ofgreater relative size to be introduced into the insulated spaced.

[0095] Although the embodiments illustrated and described above arepreferred, the principles of the present invention are not limited tothese specific examples which are given by way of illustration. It ispossible to make other embodiments that employ the principles of theinvention and that fall within its spirit and scope of the invention.Since changes in and or additions to the above-described embodiments maybe made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of theinvention, the invention is not to be limited to those details, but onlyby the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A foldable insulated bag comprising: an insulated wallstructure, defining an insulated space therewithin; said wall structurehaving a closure member operable to govern access to said insulatedspace; and said wall structure including a forming panel; said wallstructure, when empty, being movable to a first, flattened position;said wall structure being foldable about at least a portion of saidforming panel to a folded storage position; and said wall structurebeing securable in said folded storage position.
 2. The foldableinsulated bag of claim 1 wherein said bag is a double fold bag.
 3. Thefoldable insulated bag of claim 1 wherein said bag includes a retainer,said retainer being operable to secure said bag in said folded storageposition.
 4. The foldable storage bag of claim 1 wherein said bag has abottom region and a top region, and a suspension member is mounteddistant from said bottom region.
 5. The foldable insulated bag of claim1 wherein said forming panel includes a stiffener member.
 6. Thefoldable insulated bag of claim 1 wherein said forming panel has aflexural rigidity greater than any other portion of said bag.
 7. Thefoldable insulated bag of claim 1 wherein said forming panel has aninsulating layer and a stiffening layer.
 8. The foldable insulated bagof claim 1 wherein said forming panel includes a stiffened straightedge.
 9. The foldable insulated bag of claim 1 wherein said formingpanel includes a pair of spaced apart, parallel stiffened straightedges.
 10. The foldable insulated bag of claim 1 wherein said bag has abase panel and a sidewall structure mounted about said base panel, saidforming panel being said base panel.
 11. The foldable insulated bag ofclaim 10 wherein said sidewall structure includes first and secondopposed sidewall panels, each sidewall panel having a first edgeadjoining said base panel and a second edge distant therefrom, saidclosure member being mounted to said distant edges.
 12. The foldableinsulated bag of claim 10 wherein said sidewall structure includes firstand second opposed sidewall panels, each sidewall panel having a firstedge adjoining said base panel and a second edge distant therefrom, saidside wall panels having an altitude measured between said first andsecond edges, and said base panel having a width measured betweenjunctures of said adjoining edges of said sidewall panels therewith,said altitude having a magnitude X, and said width having a magnitude Ywherein X has a value lying on one of the ranges chosen from the set ofranges consisting of (a) 0.8 Y to 1.2 Y; (b) 1.8 Y to 2.2 Y; and (c) 2.8Y to 3.2 Y.
 13. The foldable insulated bag of claim 10 wherein: saidfoldable insulated bag having a retainer operable to secure saidfoldable insulated bag in said folded storage position; said sidewallstructure includes first and second opposed sidewall panels, each saidsidewall panel having a first edge adjoining said base panel and asecond edge distant therefrom; said base panel has a first edgeconnected to said first sidewall panel, and a second edge connected tosaid second sidewall panel; said base panel has an outer face, and aninward face; in said flattened position said inward face of said basepanel being oriented to face toward said second sidewall panel; in saidflattened position said second edge of said base panel lying nearer thansaid first edge of said base panel to said second edge of said firstsidewall panel; said outward face of said base panel having a firstmember of said retainer mounted thereto adjacent to said second edgethereof; said first sidewall panel having a second member of saidretainer mounted adjacent to said second edge thereof; and said basepanel being movable to bring said first portion of said retainer intomating engagement with said second portion of said retainer.
 14. Thefoldable insulated bag of claim 13 wherein said first and second membersof said retainer are mating hook-and-eye fabric strip portions.
 15. Thefoldable insulated bag of claim 10 wherein: said sidewall structureincludes first and second opposed sidewall panels, each said sidewallpanel having a first edge adjoining said base panel and a second edgedistant therefrom; said base panel has a periphery, said peripheryincluding a first edge adjoining said first edge of said first sidewallpanel, and a second edge adjoining said first edge of said secondsidewall panel; said periphery including two opposed remainder portionsbetween said first and second sides, said portions having lengths 2a,and 2a₂ respectively; said first edge of said first sidewall panelhaving a length, L; said first edge of said base panel having a length‘b’; and said length L being at least as great as b+(a₁+a₂).
 16. Thefoldable insulated bag of claim 15 wherein said first edge of said firstsidewall panel is centered relative to said first edge of said basepanel.
 17. The foldable insulated bag of claim 10 wherein: said sidewallstructure includes first and second opposed sidewall panels, each saidsidewall panel having a first edge adjoining said base panel and asecond edge distant therefrom; said base panel is rectangular, havingtwo opposed sides of length ‘b’ and two opposed sides of length ‘a’;said first edge of said first sidewall panel has a length, L; and saidlength L being at least as great as b+2a.
 18. The foldable insulated bagof claim 17 wherein said first edge of said first sidewall panel iscentered relative to said first edge of said base panel.
 19. Thefoldable insulated bag of claim 10 wherein said sidewall structureincludes equal sized first and second opposed sidewall panels, each sidewall panel having a first edge adjoining said base panel and a secondedge distant therefrom.
 20. The foldable insulated bag of claim 19wherein said first edges of said first and second sidewall panels have alength L₁, and said second edges of said sidewall panels have a lengthL₂, where L₂ is at least as great as L₁.
 21. The foldable insulated bagof claim 19 wherein each of said sidewall panels has a second edgedistant from said first edge thereof, and said second edges of saidsidewall panels are each longer than said base panel.
 22. The foldableinsulated bag of claim 10 wherein: said sidewall structure includes apair of opposed first and second sidewall panels; said first and secondsidewall panels each including a first edge mounted to said base panel,a second edge opposed to and distant from said second edge, a thirdedge, and a fourth edge; said fourth edge is opposed to said third edge;said respective third edges are mutually attached; and said respectivefourth edges are mutually attached.
 23. The foldable insulated bag ofclaim 1 wherein said insulated bag includes a waterproof liner.
 24. Thefoldable insulated bag of claim 1 wherein said insulated bag includes areflective interior surface oriented to face toward objects placed insaid insulated space.
 25. A foldable insulated bag comprising: a firstside panel, a second side panel, and a base panel; at least said firstside panel and said second side panel being insulated; at least saidfirst side panel and said second side panel being pliable; said firstside panel, said second side panel and said base panel co-operating todefine an enclosed, insulated space; said first side panel having afirst base edge adjoining said base panel; said second side panel havinga second base edge adjoining said base panel; said first side panelhaving a first distal edge opposite to said first base edge; said secondside panel having a second distal edge opposite to said second baseedge; at least a portion of said first distal edge being movablerelative to at least a portion of said second distal edge to permitaccess to said enclosed insulated space; a closure member mounted togovern access to said enclosed, insulated space; said base panel havinga length and a width, said length being greater than said width; saidfirst distal edge of said first side panel being longer than said basepanel.